Patent US4722295A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4722295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article treating apparatus
Assignee: ULTRASEAL INTERNATIONAL Ltd UNIT
•
Filing: 1986-04-22
•
Granted: 1988-02-02
•
Expires: 2006-04-22
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an article treating apparatus particularly apparatus for pressure-impregnating or vacuum impregnating porous articles such as metal castings. A holder for the articles or a metal basket containing them is disposed in an autoclave and can be rotated about a horizontal axis. It has a horizontal through-passageway so that articles to be treated can be simultaneously loaded at one end of the passageway and unloaded at the other end of the passageway by an indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism has a plurality of pusher arms which can be moved laterally into the path of the articles and then moved horizontally to push the articles along rails into and out of the passageway. The holder is stopped at a predetermined rotary position in which a longitudinal slot is opposite the pusher arms so that unloading and loading may be effected simultaneously with a single movement of the indexing mechanism, a pusher arm passing completely through the slot. The lower part of the pressure vessel contains liquid impregnant and the holder can be rocked between an upper loading and unloading (and spin) position and a lower immersed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter D. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:30
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05C; B05C13/00; B05C3/00; B05C3/02; B05C3/04; B05C3/08; B05C3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for treating articles with a liquid, comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment, a holder for the articles mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rotating the holder within the enclosure, means for stopping the rotation of the holder at a predetermined rotary position, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway for receiving the articles such that the articles will rotate with the holder and such that the articles may be loaded through one end of the passageway and discharged through the other end of the passageway, and pusher arms extending into the path of the articles, the pusher arms being simultaneously movable along said path to remove a treated article from the holder and to supply an untreated article thereto, the holder having a longitudinal opening at a position which, at said predetermined rotary position, corresponds to the position of the pusher arms whereby a pusher arm may pass through the holder to discharge a treated article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for treating articles with a liquid, comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment, a holder for the articles mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rotating the holder within the enclosure, means for stopping the rotation of the holder at a predetermined rotary position, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway for receiving the articles such that the articles will rotate with the holder and such that the articles may be loaded through one end of the passageway and discharged through the other end of the passageway, and pusher arms extending into the path of the articles, the pusher arms being simultaneously movable along said path to remove a treated article from the holder and to supply an untreated article thereto, the holder having a longitudinal opening at a position which, at said predetermined rotary position, corresponds to the position of the pusher arms whereby a pusher arm may pass through the holder to discharge a treated article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for moving said pusher arms between an operative position in said path and a retracted position out of said path and for moving them longitudinally between a forward position and a rearward position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said axis passes through said passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said passageway is symmetrical with respect to said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holder is movable between an upper position in which the articles may be loaded and unloaded and a lower position in which they may be immersed in the liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein provision is made for rotating the holder at different speeds so that it can be rotated at a higher speed in its upper position than in its lower position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said holder is rotatably carried by generally C-shaped members, the opening in the C corresponding to said longitudinal opening when said holder is at said predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the C-shaped members are pivotally mounted so that they may be rocked between an upper position and a lower position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the C-shaped members are carried by a shaft which is also arranged to rotate said holder within said C-shaped members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shaft has a gear thereon and the holder has a gear ring thereon which is interrupted by said longitudinal opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the gear on the shaft drives the gear ring via two gears on a C-shaped member to maintain positive drive in spite of said interruption.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the C-shaped members may be rocked by a sleeve on the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises an openable and closable vessel, the means for rotating the holder being operable from outside the vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vessel is an autoclave and the treatment is an impregnation treatment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the autoclave has a lid which can be moved upwardly to open it and provide lateral access to the holder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of enclosures through which articles are indexed sequentially, at least one of the enclosures being as defined.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for treating articles with a liquid, comprising an openable and closable vessel for carrying out the treatment, carrier means within the vessel for carrying a holder for the articles and for rotating it relatively to the vessel about a substantially central substantially horizontal axis, the carrier means being rockable between an upper position and a lower position about a further substantially horizontal axis, wherein the carrier means comprises two C-shaped members for supporting the respective ends of the holder, the openings of which are upwardly facing when the carrier means is rocked to its upper position so that the holder can be lowered into them, the C-shaped members have a pivoted portion which is in an open position when the carrier means is rocked to its upper position for receiving the holder and which is in a closed position for gripping the holder when the carrier means is rocked to its lower position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for treating articles with a liquid, comprising an openable and closable vessel for carrying out the treatment, carrier means within the vessel for carrying a holder for the articles and for rotating it relatively to the vessel about a substantially central substantially horizontal axis, the carrier means being rockable between an upper position and a lower position about a further substantially horizontal axis, wherein the carrier means comprises two C-shaped members for supporting the respective ends of the holder, the openings of which are upwardly facing when the carrier means is rocked to its upper position so that the holder can be lowered into them, the C-shaped members have a pivoted portion which is in an open position when the carrier means is rocked to its upper position for receiving the holder and which is in a closed position for gripping the holder when the carrier means is rocked to its lower position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein there is a shaft on said further axis, the carrier means being rockable about said shaft from outside said vessel when said vessel is closed and wherein rotation of said shaft from outside said vessel is arranged to rotate said holder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for treating an article with a liquid comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment; a holder for the article mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis; means for rotating the holder, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway of substantially uniform cross-section which is open at at least one end for receiving the article, such that the article will rotate with the holder and the axis of rotation passes through the passageway; and means for rocking the holder between an upper position and a lower position about a further axis substantially parallel to said substantially horizontal axis, the holder being rotatable in both positions and the enclosure being such that the article may be immersed in the liquid when the holder is in the lower position and may be supplied to and removed from the holder when the holder is in its upper position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for treating an article with a liquid comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment; a holder for the article mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis; means for rotating the holder, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway of substantially uniform cross-section which is open at at least one end for receiving the article, such that the article will rotate with the holder and the axis of rotation passes through the passageway; and means for rocking the holder between an upper position and a lower position about a further axis substantially parallel to said substantially horizontal axis, the holder being rotatable in both positions and the enclosure being such that the article may be immersed in the liquid when the holder is in the lower position and may be supplied to and removed from the holder when the holder is in its upper position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
187 words
Apparatus for treating an article with a liquid, comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment, a holder for the article mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rotating the holder within the enclosure and for stopping the rotation of the holder at a predetermined rotary position, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway for receiving the article such that the article will rotate with the holder and such that the article may be loaded through one end of the passageway and discharged through the other end of the passageway, and a pusher arm extending into the path of the article, the pusher arm being movable along said path to remove a treated article from the holder, the holder having a longitudinal opening at a position which, at said predetermined rotary position, corresponds to the position of the pusher arm whereby the pusher arm may enter the holder to discharge a treated article, the longitudinal opening extending from said one end of the passageway and along at least a substantial proportion of the length of the holder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
187 words
Apparatus for treating an article with a liquid, comprising an enclosure for carrying out the treatment, a holder for the article mounted in the enclosure for rotation relative to the enclosure about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rotating the holder within the enclosure and for stopping the rotation of the holder at a predetermined rotary position, the holder defining a substantially horizontal passageway for receiving the article such that the article will rotate with the holder and such that the article may be loaded through one end of the passageway and discharged through the other end of the passageway, and a pusher arm extending into the path of the article, the pusher arm being movable along said path to remove a treated article from the holder, the holder having a longitudinal opening at a position which, at said predetermined rotary position, corresponds to the position of the pusher arm whereby the pusher arm may enter the holder to discharge a treated article, the longitudinal opening extending from said one end of the passageway and along at least a substantial proportion of the length of the holder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the enclosure comprises an openable and closeable vessel such that, when the holder is in said upper position and the vessel is open, the article may be supplied to and removed from the holder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 comprising a shaft on said further axis, the holder being rockable about said shaft from outside said vessel when said vessel is closed and wherein rotation of said shaft from outside said vessel is adapted to rotate said holder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said passageway is open at both ends whereby the article may be supplied to one end of the holder and removed from the other end of the holder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said passageway is of substantially uniform cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1066800A
Cited
US2645914A
Cited
US2986918A
Cited
US3095081A
Cited
GB1217521A
Cited
GB1165626A
Cited
US3590905A
Cited
GB1250675A
Cited
US3748249A
Cited
GB1420698A
Cited
SU482215A1
Cited
GB1446083A
Cited
US4147821A
Cited
GB2015601A
Cited
US4311735A
Cited
US4462519A
Cited
US4479986A
Cited
US4537669A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-01 | 1991-08-03 | 1992-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-01 | 1995-08-03 | 1996-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-01 | 1999-08-03 | 2000-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |